TAKAPUNA'S PROGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20259, 20 May 1929, Page 13

TAKAPUNA'S PROGRESS.

BOROUGH FINANCES SOUND.

CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE

MAYOR REVIEWS POSITION. "The present position of the borough is sound, building continues steadily, and, given careful administration, the future can be viewed with confidence," says the Mayor of Takapuna. Mr. J. W. Williamson, in a review made by him for tho information of the members of the new council, prior to his departure for Sydney on holiday. Summing up the results of the two years' administration of the late council, Mr. Williamson states tho district fund .has been restored to a healthy position, and a surplus is carried forward into tho new financial year. Loan expenditure has been steadied and systeniatised, the administrative and engineering staffs have been reorganised, substantial economies have been effected—£6oo a year is mentioned—and a progressive programme of works has been carried out. On March 31, 1929, tho council "had a credit balance of, £572, as against £978 on the corresponding date in 1928, while there were overdrafts of £2BOI in 1925 and £2606 in 1927. Taking all items into account, including outstanding rates and sums due by other local bodies, the surplus carried forward is £4957.

With regard to the completion of the outfall and storage works of the drainage system, a letter from the medical officer of health is quoted, congratulating the council upon the improved sanitary conditions brought about, and the excellence of design and workmanship of the schemes. "These works and the now destructor put Takapuna in tho forefront in sanitary progress as far, at all events, as the neighbourhood ot Auckland is concerned, or, for that matter, any district in New Zealand," says the medical officer. The actual cost of tho various completed loan works is shown to have been in most cases well within tho engineer's estimate. A tablo is given showing that for the four main drainage contracts the total estimate was £34.881, and the actual coet, including extras, £33,659. Steady progress has been made with the provision of water-mains in accordance with the borough plan. When tho mains are completed in tho Mill'ord side streets, application should again be made to tho Underwriters' Association for the reduction of the insurance rates, in view of tho water-mains provided, and the proved efficiency of the fire brigade and the firo alarm svstem.

Referring to the rejection by the ratepayers, at a poll two years ago, of the proposals for the completion of the gaps in concrete roading on the main roads and on Sherriff's Hill, and certain essential storm-water drainage, the Mayor says: "I am of opinion that steps should be taken to resubmit substantially the same proposals in the same form; or, if unanimity on that proposal is impossible of attainment, then serious and impartial consideration should be given to the proposal with one variation, namely, restricting the concreting in Shakespeare Road (at the bark of the lake) to the section from Sherriff's Bridge to Brook Street,"